The Big Problem no one is talking about – Nick Landekic

By Nick Landekic

Here we go again. Few people want to talk about it and we all wish it was gone. Unfortunately we are experiencing another major COVID surge, the second largest of the pandemic.

COVID is still a serious threat, with millions becoming infected, tens of thousands hospitalized, and about 1,500 dying every week. That’s like two fully loaded airliners crashing and killing everyone on board – every day. The problem is made worse by some fundamental misperceptions.

COVID is not ‘mild’

COVID has not become mild. A number of studies show there has been little change in the virulence of variants over time, or even a worsening of symptoms.

Infections may present as less severe because of the protection provided by vaccination. If you are vaccinated and then get infected, your illness will very likely be less severe. But that doesn’t mean the virus has intrinsically become ‘mild.’

Thankfully deaths have decreased compared with the worst times. Unfortunately it’s partly for a sad reason: those most susceptible have already died. The medically fragile were the ones to die first. Nearly 1.2 million Americans have died of COVID – more deaths than in all the wars ever fought by this country.

The virus is constantly mutating

The rapid mutation of the virus and continuous emergence of new variants means our understanding, and the risks, frequently change. The JN.1 variant currently surging is believed to be both more contagious and immune evasive, as well as more severe on a cellular level than previous variants.

Repeat infections are bad

Each COVID infection chips away at and weakens your immune system. Studies have shown getting reinfected causes two to three times more organ and system damage, hospitalization, or death.

COVID also makes you more susceptible to other infections. Children who have had COVID then have a much higher rate of RSV infection.

Long COVID is a significant problem

A wealth of evidence shows about 10-30% of people who have had COVID have long-term health problems, including risk of brain damage and diabetes. Most Long COVID cases happen after a ‘mild’ infection. Recent studies have discovered the COVID virus injures our bodies on a basic cellular level by damaging the mitochondria, the essential ‘powerhouse’ of all our cells.

We all want to get better fast and COVID to be over with the first negative test. But the virus doesn’t work that way.

The risks are not the same for everyone

One of the most frustrating things about COVID is risk depends on who, and where, you are. The rules just are not the same for everyone. 93% of COVID deaths are in those over age 50. If you are over 60, you are 225 times more likely to die of COVID than someone under 30. For those over 70, risk of death is 640 times greater than someone under 20.

Men are more likely to die from COVID infection or have a poor outcome than women. Those with Type A blood are more likely to become infected than other blood types. There is still so much we don’t know about the virus.

Rhode Island has experienced above-average viral levels (as measured by COVID wastewater) in most places, as it often has since the start of the pandemic. Hospital admissions were up 74% in December, with 65% being COVID related. Bristol County has recently had one of the highest levels in the entire country. Living here means being at higher infection risk, and needing to take additional precautions if you want to stay healthy.

We all want simple rules for everyone, but the virus doesn’t care about our wishes. If you’re older or have health issues and want to stay healthy, greater precautions are needed. Stay current with booster vaccinations, wear a mask in crowded indoor settings during times of high infection risk, and talk with your doctor about Paxlovid if you become infected. Wearing a mask is a minor inconvenience. Having COVID is a major one.

We would all love to be ‘done with COVID.’ Unfortunately, the virus isn’t done with us.

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Nick Landekic of Bristol is a retired biotechnology CEO and entrepreneur who spent more than 35 years working in the pharmaceutical industry.